Slam Dunk Central

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For all of the games that feature a lot of offense and very little defense, a defensive battle ia a refreshing change of pace.? With an injury to Philadelphia 76ers guard Willie Green, some tweaking of their lineup was necessary as Reggie Evans replaced normal starter Rodney Carney to bring a bigger Sixers lineup into Wednesday’s game against the Detroit Pistons.? The lineup changes worked as the Sixers managed to hold off the Pistons in a hard-fought victory, 83-82, at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

Philadelphia led by as many as 12 in the first half and still had a 48-42 lead at halftime, but Detroit began the third quarter with a 21-9 run to take a 63-57 lead; Rasheed Wallace, Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince each scored 5 points during the run while Antonio McDyess added 4.? The Pistons led 67-66 going into the fourth quarter, but the Sixers scored the first two baskets of the period to go up by 3 with 9:35 to go; Detroit came back with 6 consecutive points - including 2 dunks by Jason Maxiell - before Philadelphia rallied again.

5 points from Philadelphia’s Iguodala - all of them free throws - helped the Sixers build a 77-73 lead with 5:53 left in the game; the Sixers had a couple opportunities to clinch the game, but Iguodala missed a jumper a shot by Reggie Evans was blocked by McDyess.? Iguodala would miss another jumper, and Wallace grabbed the rebound with 3.9 seconds remaining; Chauncey Billups would take the inbounds pass, was blocked when trying to drive, and had to take a difficult 18-footer.? Billups missed the shot, icing the game for Philadelphia.

Philadelphia was led by Iguodala with 22 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, 3steals and a blocked shot, while reserve Rodney Carney scored 16 with 5 rebounds and a steal.? Reggie Evans recorded a double-double with 12 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals and a blocked shot.? Detroit’s leading scorer was Wallace with 17 points, 5 rebounds, an assist, a steal and a blocked shot, while Billups scored?15 with a rebound, 2 assists, a steal and 2 blocked shots; McDyess recorded a double-double as he scored 14 with 11 rebounds and 3 blocked shots.? Philadelphia (31-34) now travels to Chicago to take on the Bulls Friday, while Detroit (46-18) flies to Texas to face the San Antonio Spurs - also on Friday.